PASCA : Jurnal Teologi dan Pendidikan Agama Kristen

Reading Manna and Quail in the Exodus: A Reader Response Criticism Perspective

Eirene Gulo, Frischo Ridhoi Taogan — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Reader Response Criticism is a postmodernist interpretation approach. The spirit of postmodernism greatly influences the interpretive activities carried out by this method. The philosophy of postmodernism is apparent in the characteristics of reader response criticism. The author explains how the Reader Response Criticism approach works in this study. In the research framework, the author uses the literature study method to obtain research data and the biblical hermeneutic method to find news from the Bible. From this research, it can be concluded that Reader Response Criticism considers that manna comes from several proposals, both animals and plants, which tells that the event did not happen miraculously but something normal based on the availability of manna in the area, as well as the quails they came usually because of fatigue so that no visible action of God in the event. But biblically speaking, both of these events were God working miraculously to do His providence for the Israelites who had been freed from slavery and had to pass through the wilderness for 40 years, and God provided food for them.

A Word Spoken at the Right Time: A Hermeneutic Analysis of Proverbs 25:11

Immanuel Raphael Anggelo, Ninik Haryanti — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0700

One of the critical points in communication is choosing appropriate diction and words that suit the situation. If it is inappropriate and conveyed out of context, miscommunication can trigger arguments or misunderstandings. The root of the problem is using inappropriate sentences when verbal communication occurs. Among several Bible verses that provide advice about good words, this research will formulate the meaning in the Book of Proverbs 25:11 regarding the concept of timely words in communication. With this study, it is hoped that conceptual indicators will emerge as to what the Bible means by these good words. The approach used in extracting the text is the exegesis of the verse Proverbs 25:11. Based on research, it can be concluded that good speech, apart from being a communication skill, is also formed by the presence of wisdom in the communicant and communicator. This is a sign that someone has spiritual maturity, visible credibility, and integrity in relationships with fellow humans. It was also concluded that to suppress bad habits in speaking, good education and correct understanding of the truth of God's word is needed on the one hand, and awareness that every word that comes out of the mouth cannot be revoked and has consequences, on the other hand.

Does Sin Still Come to Christians? The Perspective of 1 John 3:9

Rini Sumanti Sapalakkai — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Sin has been a major problem since the fall of man. This is the reason for Jesus' reincarnation into the world: to redeem humankind from sin. However, even though the cross has taken place, the discussion about sin continues, especially in search of an answer as to whether Christians still sin even after being redeemed by the blood of Jesus. This article answers that question through the exegesis of one of the verses in New Testament studies, namely First John 3:9. An exploration of the meaning will be done on the statement that everyone born of God does not sin anymore. The research concludes that first, sin must be purified or sanctified through Jesus, the true redeemer. Second, Christians must decide to confess each of their sins and show repentance as a sign that Jesus has redeemed them. Thirdly, the Christian must build a new lifestyle by ceasing sin. In this case, despite being redeemed, the process and goal for Christians are still happening, and the process must be won as a characteristic of true Christianity.

Religious Education and Vaccination: The Concept of Halal, From the Slippery Road to Herd Immunity

Halim Wiryadinata — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This study aims to understand how religious education contributes to understanding vaccination to achieve herd immunity in society due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The diversity of understanding for vaccines and its ingredient creates an issue about halal and non–halal among Indonesian citizens. The dispersed understanding produces the swing opinions not to be vaccinated due to the understanding of the theological concept of Halal, and the final herd immunity is impossible to achieve. This core problem is triggered by two essential elements: culture and theological concepts. The present triggers, cultural and theological elements, invite the sociological method to access articles, journals, academic writing, and books to see the emic perspective of the problems. The sociological method evaluates and analyses the problems to get the possible answer to the research question. The result of this investigation is that vaccination is saving humanity from the destruction of the COVID-19 virus. It is also a theological blueprint of God's creation to use medical materials to stop the plague. The conclusion is drawn to state that vaccination is the knowledge of God's gift for humanity to end the pandemic of Covid-19. It is also a part of the social responsibility of religious people to open the door to vaccination places to convince the ingredient is the gift of the Creator through medical science.

The Problematic Phrase beba'al hamon in Song of Songs: Interpretation and Implication

Paulus Dimas Prabowo — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The phrase ????????? ??????? (beba'al hamon) in Song of Songs 8:11 is a problematic phrase. First, this phrase is interpreted as a geographical location in the LAI version of the Bible and even the English version, but the location is still unclear and is still debated today. Second, the phrase has been interpreted variously, such as: the husband of many people, the Canaanite fertility god, and the god of the Tyrians and Carthaginians. Third, ancient manuscripts that are older than the Masoretic Text, namely the Septuagint, Aquila, Symmachus, Vulgate and Peshitta, mostly have different translations and meanings of these phrases. Based on these three problems, the research question in this article is: what is the correct interpretation of the phrase ????????? ??????? (beba?al hamon) and its implications for the interpretation of the Song of Songs 8:11-12? This article aims to interpret the meaning of the phrase ????????? ??????? (beba?al hamon) and its implications in the interpretation of the Song of Songs 8:11-12. The methods used are comparative analysis of manuscripts, syntactic analysis, and literary analysis of poetry with an emphasis on structure and parallelism. As a result, the phrase ????????? ??????? (beba?al hamon) has the meaning 'as the owner of many people' and Song of Songs 8:11-12 wants to explain that Solomon's love for the Sulamite girl was liberating, where his wealth and power in managing the vineyard had an impact on the release of the Sulamite girl from a poor life with his brothers to a life of freedom.

Jesus' Transformational Leadership as a Model of Tolerant Leadership in Indonesia

Juliati Elisabeth Seran — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The role of leadership in a religion is particularly important in building an attitude of altruism in the people it leads. However, what is currently a problem is the intolerant attitude of religious leaders which has an impact on the emergence of intolerant attitudes within the people they lead. Because of these problems, this article was written with the aim of looking at the ideal attitudes and behavior that religious leaders should have in relation to relations between religious communities. This article can be a contribution for leaders to have an attitude of altruism in order to build harmonious relations between religious communities. In achieving this goal, the author uses qualitative research methods using literature study. The results of this research are that the attitudes of religious leaders must be reflected in transformational leadership such as the leadership of Jesus where universal love was the basis of His leadership, which ultimately brought changes to His followers specifically in establishing life relationships with others.

Spirituality Reaction: Stimulation of Spiritual Life as a Preventive Effort for Disorientation in the Era of Disruption According to 1 Peter 2:1-5

Rezky Alfero Josua, Andris Kiamani — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Today’s era of disruption can lead to a decline in spiritual reactions. Intrepeters see the letter of 1 Peter as an example of an appeal to maintain spiritual life in the midst of suffering. Using Exegesis, this article finds the stimulation of spiritual life as a preventive effort for disorientation according to 1 Peter 2:1-5. First, making the word of God as the main need with the metaphor that believers must be like newborn babies who always need pure and spiritual milk to grow. Secondly, approaching Jesus as the living Stone, even though He was rejected by men but His work on the cross shows a living example for every believer and gives eternal life to those who want to believe in Him. Third, following Jesus’ example by being a blessing, for that every believer must join hands in facing the era of disruption with the aim of building a spiritual community as a preventive effort for disorientation. Christians are special group who enjoy spiritual and eternal blessings bestowed by God in Christ, therefore believers must continue to grow more and more like Jesus Christ.

The Impact of Education in the Frame of Religious Moderation Viewed from the Perspective of Christianity

Antonius Laoli, Sandra Rosiana Tapilaha, Tresa Marbun — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This research aims to explore and understand the role of education in restoring meaning in the frame of religious moderation with a focus on promoting inclusiveness, tolerance and interfaith harmony. Collaboration between teachers, families, and religious leaders in creating open discussion spaces, collaborative activities, and providing examples of religious moderation has a positive impact in shaping inclusive and tolerant attitudes towards religious differences. The research method used is a literature study by collecting and analyzing relevant sources in the fields of religious education, religious moderation, and efforts to involve families and communities. Based on the literature review, this study concludes that religious education has an important role in shaping an inclusive and tolerant attitude towards religious differences in a multicultural society. To achieve this goal, religious education needs to adopt a religious moderation approach that encourages students to understand the complexity of religion, develop critical understanding and treat religious differences as a source of wealth. In addition, this study found that involving families and communities in religious education also plays an important role in restoring the meaning of education in the frame of religious moderation.

The Role of The School Principal As A Shepherd Leader for SD XYZ Kupang Team Leader in Building Teamwork Through Bonding Time

Uki Fergialita Irvadiarlistikaningrum, Yohanes Edi Gunanto — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Teamwork is one of the skills that needs to be developed in the 21st century. SD XYZ Kupang has the expectation of doing teamwork, namely through bonding time, so this is unique. Teamwork through bonding time is based on the task of pastoral leadership, namely shepherding for the community. This study aims to determine the role of school principals as pastoral leaders in implementing pastoral leadership for team leaders, teamwork implementation through bonding time for team leaders and challenges of school principals when carrying out pastoral leadership in building teamwork through bonding time for team leaders. This study uses a qualitative case study design method. The informants in this study used purposive sampling. Data collection tools are questionnaires, interviews and observations. Data analysis was carried out by collecting data, reducing data, presenting data, and drawing conclusions. The results of the research show that the implementation of shepherd leadership has been carried out namely relations, while the other six indicators have not been implemented optimally. Teamwork through bonding time has not been implemented optimally. The teamwork carried out by the school principal is communal and professional. Where these two themes are new themes that emerge from the analysis and outside of the indicators of teamwork and bonding time. The challenges are programs that have not been maximized and some task delegation activities that are not suitable to be carried out in the context of shepherding or teamwork through bonding time.

Book Review: The Passion Generation

Davin Giovanni — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The book written by Grant Skeldon and Ryan Casey Waller focuses on the discussion of discipleship in the church. This is done because most churches and youth ministers do not really understand the meaning of discipleship itself. Discipleship is often thought of as small group ministry, mentoring, and doctrinal study classes. Through this book, Skeldon and Waller explain that discipleship is a person's habit of following others who are more spiritually advanced than themselves. That is why, the essence of discipleship is the relationship between the discipler and the young people as disciples. This works especially well with millennials whose lives are driven by purpose and desire. So, they can follow the person who guides them according to their wishes. In addition, Skeldon and Waller also explained that it is not only the church and youth ministries who play a role in discipling this millennial generation. However, parents must also have faith in Christ in order to guide their children in faith in Jesus Christ.

Book Review: Caring The Indonesianness Face of Allah: The Public Faith Struggle of (An) Indonesian Protestant

Elia Tambunan — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Indonesia is a remarkable unitary republic, enriched by its diverse people, religions, and races. It's essential to recognize the value of this diversity that makes up the 1001 faces of Indonesia. However, there are still instances of pain caused by the elimination of one group by another. In an effort to bridge this gap, Julianus Mojau has written a collection of popular writings that reflect on the struggles of the Indonesian Protestant faith. Through his reflections, he shares his insights and experiences on the idea of Indonesian social struggle from 2005-2018, emphasizing the intersection between Christian faith and politics in Indonesia. Julianus is an excellent example of academics and practitioners who take a courageous path towards caring for the face of Indonesia. By bridging the differences in religion, ethnicity, aspirations, and political ideology, they strive to strengthen Indonesia's national and state identity.

Book Review: The Art Of Loving

Delinda Elizabeth Aritonang, Michel Valentin — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This phenomenal book, which has been translated into 42 languages, was written by Eric Fromm. The content presents a discussion of the meaning of love as a human existence that has a productive orientation. In this book Fromm highlights the theory and issues of love in human relational life. This book, which has an international bestseller award, convinces its readers that all efforts to achieve love will fail if a person does not first develop his entire personality; that the fulfillment of one's love can only be achieved with the ability to love others, with humility and determination, as well as faith and discipline. This fact prompted Fromm to propose 4 parts in the form of critical statements which became the main analysis in his book. First, what is Love? Second, the theory of love. Third, Love and Its Destruction in Contemporary Western Society. And finally, the Practice of Love. Fromm in this book uses several analytical perspectives including: psychology, philosophy, historical, social, economic and cultural. Thus, through this book these statements will be revealed in full. Through this book, the author evaluates the importance of love in the relational life of Christians in the era of digitalization. According to Erich Fromm, the concept of love in this book is the right solution to overcome the isolation and loneliness experienced by modern humans, because it is in accordance with the nature of human existence.